Could the Canadiens or Oilers acquire Connor Hellebuyck? Where could Quinn Hughes end up next season? What’s the latest on the Blues? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons recently dismissed the notion that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck doesn’t want to play for Canadian teams, calling it “senseless.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck, 33, requested a trade and is currently suspended without pay by the Jets for not reporting to training camp.

“If he were dealt to Edmonton or Montreal, he would report in a minute,” Simmons wrote. “He wants out of Winnipeg, not because the Jets are lousy, but because his family has apparently been treated poorly by the local community.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In March, Hellebuyck spoke about backlash he and his family received on social media after he backstopped Team USA to gold against Canada in the Winter Olympics. However, he also said he wasn’t booed by Jets fans following the Olympics.

Hellebucyk never mentioned any poor treatment by the Winnipeg community during his end-of-season comments, when he was critical of his performance and that of his teammates. He instead spoke about how much he loved playing in Winnipeg and the connection he had with the fans.

THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy reports an NHL source confirmed the Montreal Canadiens have not expressed any interest in Hellebuyck. The source believes Simmons’ report likely came from Hellebuyck’s camp, led by his longtime agent, Ray Petkau.

Assuming Hellebuyck would be interested in joining the Canadiens, Murphy’s source said the feeling isn’t mutual. “The Habs are very content with their goaltending situation right now and aren’t going to pay the ransom of roster players the Jets will want for something they’re not looking for right now.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ biggest needs are an established second-line center and an experienced right-shot defenseman. Goaltending isn’t an issue. They’re currently carrying Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, and Samuel Montembeault, with the latter regularly surfacing in trade rumors.

As for the Oilers, they’d probably love to acquire Hellebuyck, but they can’t afford his $8.5 million AAV and lack the assets necessary to meet the Jets’ asking price.

THE SCORE: Kyle Cushman, Sean O’Leary, and Josh Wegman looked at whether Hellebuyck or Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin would be traded first. O’Leary and Cushman believe it’ll be Hellebuyck, partly because his holdout could force a quick resolution.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m with Wegman that it’ll likely be Larkin before Hellebuyck. He believes there’s a larger market for a first-line center in his prime than a high-priced goaltender.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for patience when shopping players who have requested trades, moving them when he gets a return that helps his team.

THE SCORE: Cushman, O’Leary, and Wegman also predicted Quinn Hughes’ future. The 26-year-old superstar defenseman is UFA-eligible next summer, raising questions about whether he’ll re-sign with the Minnesota Wild or join his brothers Jack and Luke with the New Jersey Devils.

Wegman believes Hughes will sign a three-year contract extension and the average annual value would be $19.5 million. O’Leary believes he’ll get traded to New Jersey, and Cushman thinks he’ll sign with the Devils next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes’ future will remain a hot topic for speculation the longer he goes without a new contract. I think he’ll re-sign with the Wild because they should give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup, especially if they can suitably address their need for a first-line center.

32 THOUGHTS: THE PODCAST: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the St. Louis Blues could be open to trade offers for some of their bottom-six forwards.

Friedman said not all of their bottom-six forwards will make their team for this season. He believes Blues management have let it be known around the league that they have extra players to spare if teams are seeking roster depth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News listed Alexey Toropchenko, Nathan Walker, Oskar Sundqvist, Jack Finley, and Dillon Dube as players who could be fighting for roster spots.

Gaudio suggested three of them could end up on waivers, where they could be claimed by other clubs. He also speculated that Pius Suter could be moved if Aleksanteri Kaskimaki or Zach Dean challenge for the fourth-line center role.